Dr Mike Evans

President Herzog, actress Gal Gadot to hold event highlighting Jewish unity By Dr Mike Evans

Israeli President Isaac Herzog is set to launch a major online symposium as part of his “Kol Ha’am” initiative, also known as the “Voice of the People”: The President’s Initiative for Worldwide Jewish Dialogue.

Announced during the early stages of the judicial reform protests in spring 2023, the initiative began with a global survey of Jewish leaders just before Rosh Hashana 2023.

Although details have been sparse due to the outbreak of the Gaza War on Oct. 7, the conflict and rising global antisemitism have accelerated the initiative’s progress.

The inaugural “Voice of the People” symposium will take place on Sept. 15 and aims to unite Jewish voices globally to emphasize the strength, unity, and resilience of the Jewish community amid significant challenges. Israeli actress Gal Gadot, known for her roles in blockbuster films, will join Herzog to discuss the importance of Jewish identity and perseverance.

The event will also feature an interview between journalist Tamar Ish-Shalom and Daniel Lifshitz, whose grandparents, Oded and Yocheved Lifshitz, were taken hostage by Hamas terrorists during the recent attacks. They will address the family’s experiences following the abduction.

Herzog emphasized the initiative’s goal in a report by All Israel: “It is our responsibility to deepen the conversation between us—coming together to discuss critical issues facing the Jewish people. We aim to develop the next generation of Jewish leaders who will contribute to preserving our community.”

The symposium will include at least 150 Jewish leaders from around the world, personally invited by Herzog. To prepare, Herzog recently conducted a global survey to guide dialogue and leadership within the Jewish community, aiming to influence future discussions affecting the Jewish people.

Herzog stated, “We are currently focused on safeguarding the State of Israel and strengthening the Jewish people during this challenging period of war and rising antisemitism. Concurrently, we are addressing critical issues that require our attention. In response, we are establishing the Voice of the People council to ensure that the Jewish people can thrive in a changing world.”